Table cover and tray



p 2, 1952 s. L. GREENE EI'AL 2,608,842

' TABLE COVER AND TRAY Filed Sept. 9, 1950 I N V EN TORS Samuel L. Greene y Bezyamm AZ Greene Patented Sept. 2, 1952 TABLE COVER AND TRAY Samuel L. Greene, Waterbury, Conn., and Benjamin N. Greene, Miami Beach, Fla.

Application September 9, 1950, Serial No. 184,042

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to combination table covers and trays, and more particularly to a stiff collapsible cover and tray for use on card tables or picnic tables.

One object of this invention is to provide a device of the above nature which, after use as a table cover, can readily be converted into a tray for carrying away dishes, etc., used on the table cover.

Another object is to provide a device of the above nature which can be compactly folded for storage within a small space.

Another object is to provide a device of the above nature which will be simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, easy to install.

and manipulate, compact, ornamental in appearance, and very eflicient and durable in use.

With these and other objects in view, there has been illustrated on the accompanying drawing one form in which the invention may conveniently be embodied in practice.

In the drawing,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the use of the device as a cover on a card table.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary top view of one of the hin es of the device as it a pears when attached to the cover and one of the four corner flaps.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the same, taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of the device when used as a tray.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the device compactly folded for storage.

Referring now to the drawing, in which like.

reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letters C-T indicate generally the combination table cover and tray, which may be constructed of molded plastic, wood, metal or other suitable material and comprises a substantially souare, central stilf cover portion 1 0 and four articulated corner portions I I hin ed thereto, said corner portions being substantially of right angled isosceles triangular configuration. The corner portions are preferably of such size that when folded inwardly upon-the cover Hi, the adiacent edges thereof will meet. A plurality of hinges I2 is employed to foldably attach the corner flap portions H to the body cover l0 of the combination table cover and tray.

Each hinge preferably comprises a pair of small rectangular aligned notches 12a, within each of which is located a longitudinal pin 13. The pins are interconnected by a metallic link piece l4 disposed within the aligned n tches, and embracing the outer surfaces of said pins.

In order that the device mav be handled easily as a tray, the outer corner of each flap portion I I has an arcuate cut-out portion [5. below which is an aligned finger receiving opening l6.

Operation In use as a table cover, the device is merely unfolded fiat and laid upon the top of the table T, as in Fig. 1. When using the device as a tray,

the objects, such as dishes, etc., are moved to the center cover In, and the flap portions H are folded up. Either pair of opposed corner portions ll may then be used as handles, as shown in Fig. 4. The remaining corner portions will rest lightly in an inclined position against the objects within the tray, and will thereby help to prevent theirdisplacement'while the tray is being carried.

It will be understood that the arcuate cut-out portions [5 will afford ample space at each corner of the table where objects, such as ash trays, may be placed.

One advantage of the combination table cover and tray is that it provides a quick and easy means for setting and clearing a table.

Another advantage of the device is that it folds compactly for storage or shipment.

While therehas been disclosed in this specification one form in which the invention may be embodied, it is to be understood that this form is shown for the purpose of illustration only, and that the invention is not to be limited to the specific disclosure, but may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit. In short, the invention includes all the modifications and embodiments coming within the scope of the following claim.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new, and for which it is desired to secure Letters Patent, is:

In a portable table cover and tray, the combination of a rigid flat square central base, and four similar rigid flat triangular corner flap portions flexibly connected to the four sides of said base and foldable fiat thereagainst with the side edges of adjoining flaps in abutment, each of said flap portions having a concave cut away recess at its outer corner, and a curved elongated through opening adjacent thereto to permit grasping of a pair of opposite flaps at their corners, by the user when said tray is being carried.

SAMUEL L. GREENE. BENJAMIN N. GREENE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 729,568 Garde June 2, 1903 2,273,006 Carlson Feb. 17, 1942 

